Exactly! This is what I use, although I do use an RS-232 serial interface
port on my PC but you could use a USB to RS-232 converter. It only has
idiot lights to let you know that it is doing something, your rotator
controller shows you the rest. It's kind of like having an invisible set
of fingers controlling the switches!
And if things get hung up, you can power off your rotator and power it
back on and the ST-1 won't keep trying to move the antenna. My KCT would
not let go until you shut down the tracking program, which was annoying
because IF the antennas get hung up for some reason I didn't want them
moving when I powered the rotator back on, what I needed to do was move
them back the other way!
Jerry
NØJY
> Check out the FoxDelta. Simple, inexpensive and works great
>> -----Original Message-----
> From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
> Behalf Of Wayne Estes
> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:28 AM
> To: amsat-bb at amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] simplest USB rotor interface
>> As an AMSAT Area Coordinator, I occasionally get questions about rotor
> interfaces. So I need to become better informed about the interface
> options.
>> I'm well aware of the LVBtracker, but to me it seems to be overkill for
> the intended purpose. It's not necessary for a rotor interface to have
> a big box, display, and control switches. The interface really only
> needs to contain A/D and D/A converters. All displays and controls can
> be implemented "virtually" on the computer's screen.
>> Is there a simple and cheap USB interface for the G-5500 rotor?
> Something small and simple like FODtrack, but with a USB port?
> I'm aware of WinRotor USB, but nobody in North America seems to use it.
>> Wayne Estes W9AE
> Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik
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